Disgraceful Trump/Vance Shouting Match Against Ukraine’s Leader

Ukraine Down – Russia Up

 I watched the disgraceful spectacle of the President and Vice President of the United States trying to shake down the President of Ukraine on television for all the world to see on Feb. 28.

It was a stunning display of the Trump Administration’s willingness to turn the United States from a promoter and defender of democracy and political freedom around the world into an autocracy eager to obtain what Trump and his enablers see as valid, short-term gains in what they think is the best interest of this nation.

I agree with the growing number of observers and commentators who say that this event marks a very public and very distressing turn in the way these elected leaders see our country’s role is no longer working in concert with other nations to maintain world peace and order, but rather to view international relations and actions as a constant competition for dominance in a win-lose world.

This is disturbing and distressing to me. Let me quote the reaction of former Colonel Alexander Vindman on this spectacle.  His words reflect my feelings very well:

“President Zelenskyy met with President Trump in the Oval Office today. What followed was a spectacle that only Russia could enjoy. Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy for having the gall to defend his country. They demanded he bend the knee and kiss the ring. They parroted Kremlin talking points. Trump even expressed camaraderie with Putin, saying they went through the Russia “hoax” together,” Vindman said.

“Trump threw a temper tantrum in public while the entire world was watching, and he did it because President Zelenskyy did the one thing every Republican in Congress should be doing right now: he told Donald Trump that his ego is less important than our shared security and western values of freedom and democracy.

“Trump and Vance thought they looked strong today. Instead, they looked like two impulsive toddlers. But now we know beyond any doubt: Trump is a friend to our enemies and an enemy to our friends.”

“Just because Trump has bowed to Putin does not mean the American people will. I know millions of Americans will continue to stand with Ukraine — and that is going to be essential as we work against Trump over the next four years,” Vindman said.

Now is the time to contact our representatives in the US Congress and even in state government. Tell them of your concern for this Republican administration’s policy direction—especially in national security—and urge them to do whatever they can and as soon as they can to stop their efforts to take our National Government in directions that will destroy the essence of our democratic republic.